Fresh Collier County Fishing Reports

Mid-Winter Fishing Update | Naples, FL We closed out 2025 strong and have started 2026 even stronger. The winter bite has been outstanding down here in Naples, and we’re looking forward to another couple of months of this phenomenal action before gearing up for spring. The offshore bite between passing cold fronts has been epic. With Cobia, Amberjacks, Mangrove Snapper, Mutton Snapper, Kingfish, and plenty of other species in the mix, it’s safe to say our hands have been full. This is hands-down the best time of year for putting quality fish in the box offshore. On our six-hour and full-day trips, you can expect a great mix of delicious table fare along with hard-fighting sportfish. Timing the cold fronts is the name of the game, and when the weather lines up, the action is lights out. The inshore and nearshore bite has been solid as well. During warm-ups, we’ve had some fun sport action nearshore with plenty of Jacks, Barracudas, and Sharks to pull on. The big Sheepshead have also started to show up, giving our clients another excellent dinner option. Inshore fishing during winter is more of a quantity-over-quality game, and it’s perfect for families and kids. Cold-water shrimp fishing produces steady action with Sheepshead, Trout, Mangrove Snapper, Jacks, and the occasional Snook or Redfish mixed in. The temperatures may be cold, but the bite is hot down here in Naples. If you have any questions or are looking to book a charter, please reach out to any of our captains—we’re happy to help. Happy fishing, – Captain Perry

Our 12 hour trip this week produced a trophy sized African Pompano! We went out on Sunday, with rain storms and wind all around us. We were the only boat out there thats for sure. The 39’ frontrunner ate up a 3-4’ sea state with grace. We even had people sleeping it was so comfortable. While other companies are canceling trips, we are getting naps in on our way 100 miles offshore. We quickly got to work on grouper and snapper. We even put some cobia in the boat. We found new bottom 15 miles off of the Dry Tortugas. After a few hours, we left here and went to a wreck nearby. We caught multiple big AP with this being the largest. One heck of a day and a slicked out ride home!

Productive day yesterday offshore. Check out our catch!

We had a productive offshore day yesterday. Check out our catch!

Mia, Sophia and Christine all caught several nice sheepshead today for their fish fry tonight.

Winter is in full swing here in Southwest Florida, and last week we saw some of the coldest mornings of the season with temperatures dropping into the low 40s. When these strong cold fronts move through, our gulf water temperatures drop quickly, and that triggers a noticeable shift in fish behavior. As conditions cool, many inshore species begin sliding out of the shallows and heading for deeper, more stable water where temperatures fluctuate less. This is a very predictable winter pattern and one we rely on heavily while running Naples fishing charters and Marco Island fishing charters. Anytime a cold front pushes through, my game plan is simple: head deeper and deeper into the backcountry, especially during low water. These fish stack up in deeper holes, troughs, and along protected shorelines where they can conserve energy and stay comfortable. Right now, we’re finding solid numbers of snook, sea trout, pompano, jack crevalle, mangrove snapper, and redfish tucked in tight to the deeper shorelines throughout the backcountry. This style of Naples back country fishing is extremely productive during winter and a staple of our Naples, Florida fishing trips. The timing couldn’t be better with a full moon approaching. Full moon phases bring extreme tidal swings, giving us very low lows and very high highs. These big tides help position fish even tighter to structure and depth changes, making them easier to target if you’re in the right areas. Early morning fishing around these tides has been especially productive, and it’s a great time for anglers booking Naples fishing guides and Marco Island fishing guides to experience some quality action. When it comes to lures, winter fishing is all about slowing things down. My go-to setup has been a 3/8-ounce jig head paired with an NLBN 3-inch paddle tail or a 3-inch shrimp pattern. These jigs excel when water temperatures plummet because fish are holding closer to the bottom and are less willing to chase fast-moving baits. A slower, more deliberate presentation keeps the lure in the strike zone longer and makes it far more appetizing for cold-water fish like Naples snook fishing targets and wintertime sea trout. This approach has been producing consistent bites on snook fishing Marco Island, along with quality redfish for anglers interested in Marco Island red fishing Naples. We’re also seeing surprise hookups with pompano and jacks mixed in, adding variety to each trip. Whether you’re casting jigs, working deeper edges, or even trying Marco Island fly fishing on calmer days, the winter bite has been strong for those willing to adjust to the conditions. Overall, winter fishing offers some of the most reliable backcountry action of the year. From early morning fishing sessions to full-day trips chasing snook, trout, and redfish, this is a prime season to explore the deeper waters. While most people think of spring and summer for species like Marco Island tarpon fishing, winter delivers its own rewards with less pressure and concentrated fish. If you’re looking to experience the best of Naples fishing charters and Marco Island fishing Naples, now is an excellent time to get on the water.